HC Deb 20 July 1977 vol 935 cc551-3W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will use the authority granted to him to stop the payment of pensions to the police convicted under the corruption and pornography trial on the grounds of their having brought disgrace and discredit to the police force.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

I have this matter under consideration, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the police convicted during the corruption and pornography trial will serve their sentences in closed or open prisons and, together with their pensions and cost of imprisonment, what will be the weekly or annual costs involved in keeping these men in prison.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

Of the 13 members or former members of the Metropolitan Police convicted during the recent cor- ruption trials, 10 are in open prisons, one is in a closed prison and two are awaiting allocation. It is not possible to say at this juncture whether they will serve the whole of their sentences in these prisons. In the financial year ending 31st March 1976, the latest date for which the information is available, the average weekly cost of keeping a man in prison was £75.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he will now make a statement giving as much information as may be available showing to what extent police officers were investigated with regard to the recent corruption and pornographic cases; how many officers were involved; how many resigned or retired; and to what extent these receive their pensions;

(2) which of the police officers charged and found guilty at the recent pornography and corruption trial were advised to retire before, at, or during the investigations; which of these did retire; what pension they have and will be drawing; and whether these will continue whilst in prison.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the investigations into allegations made by James Humphreys and others embraced the activities of 74 officers or former officers of ranks from constable to commander. Full reports of all the investigations were submitted for the independent scrutiny and advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions, who decided after consulting senior Treasury counsel that nine former officers and six suspended officers should be prosecuted. I understand that no further prosecutions are contemplated.

The Commissioner informs me that of the 74 officers or former officers investigated, 12 have resigned, and 28 have retired with a pension entitlement in accordance with the Police Pensions Regulations. These officers left the force voluntarily: they were not advised or encouraged to reach a decision to leave. In addition, eight officers have been found guilty in disciplinary proceedings and dismissed or required to resign, in one case for offences unconnected with the above mentioned allegations; and disciplinary proceedings against another officer are pending.

The figures in the last paragraph include 13 officers or former officers sentenced to imprisonment at the recent trials, six of whom retired with pensions. I have the question of these pensions under consideration.

I would like to pay tribute to Sir Robert Mark and all those officers who helped deal with this matter, and in particular to the team of investigators, to whose skill and unstinting perseverance in pursuing the allegations the force and the public are greatly indebted.